Thursday, October 11, 2012

Sponsored by the United Nations, “International Day of the Girl” is described
on their website www.dayofthegirl.org as a day to “highlight, celebrate, discuss
and advance girls lives and opportunities across the globe ... by speaking out
against gender bias and advocate for girls’ rights everywhere.”

Last week, 17-year-old San Mateo High School senior Karen Chee came before
the San Mateo City Council and asked us to pass a proclamation naming Oct. 11
“International Day of the Girl” in the city of San Mateo.

The City Council approved the proclamation by a vote of 5-0, thanked Ms. Chee
for her involvement in our community and moved on to other matters before the
council.

Two days ago, the small but significant symbolism of supporting young women
like Ms. Chee took on greater import for me.

In Pakistan, Taliban gunmen boarded a school bus and shot 14 year-old Malala
Yousafzai in the head for advocating for girls’ rights. Ms. Yousafzai has been a
tireless advocate for girls’ right to education and equal treatment.

Ms. Yousafzai was awarded a national peace prize by the government of
Pakistan, but was targeted by Taliban radicals for daring to stand up for the
rights of girls. Ms. Yousafzai survived the assassination attempt, but is in
critical condition.

When I read the news about Ms. Yousafzai, I could not help but draw
comparisons to the advocacy of Ms. Chee and other young women in our society.

I am grateful that we live in a society that will declare our support for
girls who want to do great things for our community and country. I am grateful
that as a council we are able to publicly proclaim to Ms. Chee and other girls
(including my two young daughters) that they will not have to live in fear of
retribution for standing up and daring to be who they are.

As a City Council and as a community, we often forget that small gestures
like proclaiming today “International Day of the Girl” serves to reaffirm our
commitment as a society for equality and freedom for all.

In honor of Ms. Yousafzai, and in thanks to Ms. Chee, I hope you will all
take a moment to encourage and recognize the young women in our community on
“International Day of the Girl.”
David Lim is the deputy mayor of the city of San Mateo.

Monday, October 8, 2012

San Mateo residents support all manner of wonderful causes. San Mateo resident Sharon Wong is supporting the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) as they host a walk in San Jose this Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.

FAAN is a non-profit organization that provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials.

If you are interested in helping to raise money for this worthy cause, clickhere to sign up!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Tonight the City Council took the first step in providing flexibility for business offices to co-exist with retail and restaurant space in Downtown San Mateo.

Under a new ordinance proposed by the City Council on a 5-0 vote, office spaces will now be able to take up ground floor space in downtown, provides at lease 75% of the front 60 feet of the space is used for retail or restaurant space.

While the final ordinance will be reviewed and voted on in 30 days, if passed the new law will give greater flexibility to fill long vacant space in our downtown, help to speed recovery of our local economy.

Thanks to the staff, businesses, and community who helped make this new law a reality!

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